FEMTO 13

Valladolid

Valladolid (Saki’ in Maya) is a city located in the Yucatan Peninsula, Mexico, situated in the southeastern part of the Mexican state of Yucatán.

Valladolid is in the inland eastern part of the state of Yucatan and it is the head seat of Valladolid Municipality

Valladolid is located approximately 160 km east of the capital of the state of Yucatán Mérida, Yucatán and 40 km east of Chichen Itza As well Approx. 150 km. west of Cancun and 130 km northwest of Playa del Carmen and Tulum

On August 30, 2012, Valladolid became part of the Pueblo Mágico El Programa Pueblos Mágicos (“Magical Villages Programme”) which is an initiative led by the Mexican tourism dept.to display influential towns in Mexico based on their natural beauty, cultural riches, or historical relevance to the country.

Named after Valladolid, at the time the capital of Spain, the first Valladolid in Yucatán was established by Spanish Conquistador Francisco de Montejo’s nephew on May 27, 1543 at some distance from the current town, at a lagoon called Chouac-Ha in the municipality of Tizimin. However, early Spanish settlers complained about the mosquitos and humidity at the original location, and petitioned to have the city moved further inland.

On March 24, 1545, Valladolid was relocated to its current location, built atop a Maya town called Zaci or Zaci-Val, whose buildings were dismantled to reuse the stones to build the Spanish colonial town. The following year the Maya people revolted, but were put down with additional Spanish troops coming from Mérida.

Valladolid is a great city to spend the day exploring the history and culture the Yucatan peninsula has to offer. From colonial era churches and architecture to natural wonders like cenote notable sights to visit in Valladolid are the colonial era cathedral Ex-convent and church Convent of San Bernardino de Siena named after saint Bernardino of siena in whom was built by Franciscan missionaries between 1552 and 1560. Located in the Sisal neighbourhood and a short 10-minute walk from downtown it also has a wonderful park where you can sit and enjoy tranquility and peacefulness. In downtown Valladolid, you can find the cathedral of San Gervacio located in the main square of the city. Valladolid has a chessboard-like street grid and at the city center it’s a plaza with a park square in the middle surrounded by stores where you can enjoy a walk and purchase souvenirs, food or refreshments. Located a couple of blocks from the heart of the city is the Cenote Zaci, a landscaped freshwater cenote or underground sinkhole in which you can access the inside and explore its cave. There is also a restaurant in the premises of the Cenote Zaci and artisans selling handcrafts. Valladolid is a popular base for visiting nearby major Mayan ruins such as Chichen Itza and Ek’ Balam, as well as Cenote Ik Kilso.